16-Year-Olds Win Right to Vote in Some Maryland Cities

We trust 16-year-olds to drive cars. So why not trust them with the right to elect public officials?Throughout most of the United States, you have to be 18 to vote. But in a handful of Maryland towns — among them, Takoma Park and now Hyattsville– 16 year olds have recently campaigned (and won) the right to cast ballots in local elections, too.

Other cities and townships, including San Francisco, have made moves in the same direction, but have faced more obstacles, the New York Times reports.

One reason to give younger people the vote? They’ll actually take advantage of it! In Takoma Park’s most recent election, the turnout rate among high school students hovered around 50 percent; overall turnout rates were a measly 10 percent.